Revision as of 12:10, 10 June 2022

This is a present assembly in Pella, Iowa that is historically affiliated with the TW exclusives, founded prior to 1878, and possibly as early as the 1850's.

The first church building to be erected in Pella, according to the 1922 area history, was finished in March of 1848, located west of the Star Garage, on a lot occupied in 1922 by "The Chapel". The building was initially used for church services, public meetings and a day school.

H.P. Scholte was the first pastor in Pella, from 1847, and this church split into four groups, none of which were identified with denominations until 1856:

• Rev. H.P. Scholte pastored De Christelikje Kerk 1847-1856, then it became the First Reformed Church of Pella, pastored by Dr. A.C. Van Raalte.
• Rev. A.J. Betten, J. Maasdam, A.C. Kuyper, K. DeHoog, I. Overkamp, and G.H. Overkamp.
• J. Van den Berge, A. Nultenbok, Oosterling, and W. DeHaan.
• 20 members in the home of D. Van Ham.

Early Leadership

• Adrian "Arie" Hoogenakker +1878-1919 (b. 1840 Deventer, Overijssel, Neth. - d. 1919 Pella, IA), son of Gerrit Jan Hoogenakker (b. 1798 Neth., m. 1829 Wijhe) & Egberdina Strunk Hoogenakker (b. 1806 Neth.); Gerrit's parents were Ariann Hogenakker (b. 1764 Neth. - d. 1831 Wijhe, Neth.) & Hermina Gerritsen Hogenakker (b. 1756 Wijhe - d. 1840 Deventer). Egberdina's parents were Jacob Strunk (b. 1755 Neth. - d. 1817 Wijhe, Neth.) & Johanna Masier Strunk. Gerrit & Egberdina also had an elder son Adriaan (1835-1839) who was born in Wijhe, and died in Deventer. The family emigrated to the U.S. via NYC in 1854. Gerrit was employed as a traveling vendor.
  • Wife: Heintje "Henrietta" Breuklander Hoogenakker +1878-1918 (b. 1847 Uithoorn, North Holland, Neth. - d. 1918 Pella, IA), daughter of Hendrik "Henry" Breuklander (b. 1807 Neth.) & Sophia Wilhelmina Van Straten Breuklander (b. 1819 Neth., m. 1842 Aalsmeer, Neth.). Henry & Sophia emigrated & settled in Pella, IA in 1855, where Henry was employed as a fisherman. Arie's career was as a house painter.
• Robert Radford Beard 1879+/1879-1915+ (b. 1846 Detroit, MI, emig. & m. 1870 Pella, IA, d. 1920 Des Moines, IA). Robert's parents were both born in England. Robert was employed as a merchant in 1881 of a general store in Pella, with a partner of Scholte.
  • From the beginning of his time in Pella, according to the 1922 history, "became prominently identified with every movement having for its purpose the betterment of the community. He was a director and later the president of the Pella National Bank, and his conservative attitude and judgment in financial affairs had much to do with maintaining the reputation of that institution as one of the safest banks in Iowa. Mr. Beard took a deep interest in educational matters and was a firm and valued friend of Central University, and for years filled the important position of Chairman of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Trustees. But Mr. Beard will be best remembered for his zeal in religious work. By precept and example he lived the life of a true christian, and a day seldom passed that he did not speak with someone in regard to his religious obligations and duties. He was a gifted and eloquent speaker, a thorough Bible student, and took an active part in the religious work of the community."
  • 1st wife: Maria Hendrika Elisabeth Krantz Scholte-Beard (b. 1830 Belgium - d. 1892 Pella, IA), who was also Robert's 2nd wife's maternal grandmother. She was a daughter of Johannes Justus Krantz & Maria Theodora Christoffels Krantz.
  • 2nd wife: Kate Frances Keables Beard (1858-1937 Pella, IA), daughter of Dr. Benjamin Franklin Keables (b. 1828 Elba, Genesee, N.Y. - d. 1911 Pella, IA) & Sarah Johanna Scholte Keables (b. 1833 Doeveren, Noord-Brabant, Neth. - d. 1914 Waterloo, Black Hawk, IA). Dr. Keables was appointed the chairman of the committee who brought the railroad into Marion Co. Among the first three graduates of Central University (now College) in 1861 included Alonzo J. Keables. Benjamin's wife Sarah was a daughter of Rev. Henry Peter "Dominie" Scholte (b. 1805 Amsterdam, Neth. - d. 1868 Pella, IA) & M.H.E. Krantz Scholte-Beard (b. 1820 Neth. - d. 1892 Pella, IA).
• John W. David Scholte +1889-1896+ (b. 1852 Pella, IA - d. 1925 Seattle, WA). Merchant. Son of Henry Peter Scholte (1805-1868).
  • Wife: Marie E. Paige Scholte (b. 1856 OH - d. 1929 Seattle, King, WA), daughter of Homer C. Paige (b. 1832 OH, 1880 Des Moines, IA, d. 1903 Seattle, WA) & Mary Louise Smith Paige (b. 1834 - d. 1916 Seattle, WA). Marie's maternal grandparents were Thomas B.S. Smith (b. 1802 PA, 1870 @ Freedom, Beaver, PA) & Eliza Trindell Smith (b. 1803 - d. 1847 Newark, Licking, OH). Homer Paige was employed in 1880 as a fire insurance agent.
• Paul Auguste Renaud +1901-1933+ (b. 1856 France, emig. 1862, d. 1942 Pella, IA), son of Charles Frederic Renaud (b. 1825 Audincourt, Doubs, France, m. 1848 @ Audincourt, emig. 1862, d. 1908 Pella, IA) & Catherine Elizabeth Louys Renaud (b. 1825 France - d. 1907 Pella, IA). Paul was also a paternal grandson of Georges Louis Renaud (1785-1853 France) & Catherine Parrot Gillotte Renaud (1788-1859 France).
  • Wife: Byka "Rebecca" Hagens Vander Meulen Renaud +1901-1933+ (b. 1860 Marion Co., IA - d. 1943 Pella, IA), daughter of William Christopher Hagens (b. 1839 Netherlands - d. 1914 Pella, IA) & Antonette Pos Hagens (b. 1841 Netherlands - d. 1923 Pella, IA. Rebecca was a paternal granddaughter of Gerhardus "Gerrit" Hagens (b. 1811 Netherlands - d. 1889 Pella, IA) & Anna Sophia Susanna Erts Hagens (b. 1814 Netherlands - d. 1895 Pella, IA). Gerrit Hagens was a baker, by trade, his parents were Reind Hagens (1778-1864 Netherlands) & Willemina Simons Hagens (1775-1840 Netherlands).
• Nicholas Charles Van Vliet +1901-1927+ (1857-1948 Pella, IA), son of Jacob Van Vliet & Maria Van Vliet (b. 1827 Neth.). Two of Jacob's older (adult) children succumbed to cholera in the summer of 1854, of 16 total who died in Pella that year of that epidemic. Jacob emigrated to Pella in 1854, along with relative Nicholaas. In 1922, S.N. Van Vliet was serving as the librarian at the Second Reformed Church of Pella. H.M. Van Vliet (b. 1840 Neth.), came to the U.S. with his parents in 1847, first to St. Louis, then in Pella in 1848. Five children: Henry, Mattie M., Willie, Joseph, and Minnie.
  • Wife: Margaret "Maggie" Vander Wilt Van Vliet +1901-1917 (1858-1917 Pella, IA), daughter of Jan "John" Vander Wilt (b. 1831 Laagnieuwkoop, Utrecht, Neth. - d. 1906 Pella, IA) & Geuvertje Den Burger Vander Wilt (b. 1835 Schoonrewoerd, Zuid-Holland, Neth. - d. 1896 Pella, IA).
• P. Rykhoek +1927-1944+
• P.L. Renaud +1933+
• D.V. Van Vork +1944+
• Harry L. Renaud +1944-1949+
• John Valkenberg +1949-1951+
• D.J. Van Vark +1949+
• Harry A. Renaud +1951+
• D.V. Van Vark +1951+
• Frank Van Der Hart +1962-1966+
• L.F. Brand +1962-1973+
  • Nicholas Brand had a "beautiful home farm", which he acquired from Gerrit Hagens, which was 1/2 mile SW of Straw Town. A large double log house was on this property in Hagens' day, that also at some point served as one of Pella's first physicians, Dr. J. Roelofzs and his family, as well as for J. Smeenk and his family, who with J.H. Wolters, opened the very first store in that log house.
  • C.W. Brand served on the first board of trustees for Central College.
• Paul H. Renaud +1962-1966+
• Vernon O. Seekamp +1973-1985+
• Earl E. Waddle +1973-1985+
• Mark P. Renaud +1973-1985+
• Gerrit Renaud +1999-2005+
• Harry Van Der Hart +1999-2016 (1939-2016 Pella, IA)
• Robert Waddle +2005-2010+
• Leo M. Renaud +2010-2016+

Henry Peter Scholte led 800 Dutch immigrants in 1847 to settle Pella.

• first postmaster (in 1847)
• executive committee for erecting the first building of what is now Central College, having also donated the parcel of land, and furnishing much of the building material
• founding editor of the Pella Gazette in 1855, and brought the first printing press.
• provided the first banking facilities in 1855, "Scholte & Grant", and established an exchange office which handled some banking. The first regular banking institution was organized in 1857 as the Central Exchange & Land Office, managed by Scholte, P.H. Bousquet, and John Nollen, the latter two rebranded it soon after as the Pella Savings Institution, then as the Pella National Bank.
• officiated weddings in 1857:
  • Cornelius van Rheenen, and Maria Buitendijk
  • Cornelius den Boer and Aaltje den Boest
• In 1868, he was preaching from a farmer's cart, and dragoons came and ordered the people to scatter, and upon the Scholte's refusing to obey, the soldiers cut the cart into splinters, leading to the death of Henry and his wife.

Initial Dutch Settlers

The following are among those from the Netherlands who incorporated Pella, affiliated with the meeting room, sorted by each of the settling ships that left the Netherlands in April 1847 via Baltimore, MD. It is presently unknown which ship Henry Peter Scholte was on, who served as president of the Dutch colony, with forementioned history, as father of John W. David Scholte (1852-1925) who served as a correspondent +1889-1896+ at the assembly, as well as Robert Radford Beard's (1846-1920) 2nd wife's maternal grandmother, Sarah, who was also a daughter of Henry Peter Scholte, Robert had served as a correspondent in 1879.

Maasstroom

This ship left Rotterdam, Neth., on April 11, 1847.

• Mr. & Mrs. Jan den Burger, and their five eldest children: Cornelius, Joost, Geuvertje (1835-1896), Pietertje, and Jan. Geuvertje (aka Govertje)'s daughter Margaret "Maggie" Vander Wilt married Nicholas Charles Van Vliet (1857-1948 Pella, IA) who served as a correspondent +1901-1927+.

Nagasaki

This ship left Rotterdam, Neth., in early April, 1847.

• Mr. & Mrs. Gerritsen - they were possibly related to Arie Hoogenakker (1840-1919), paternal grandson of Ariann Hogenakker (1764-1831) & Hermina Gerritsen Hogenakker (1756-1840), who both died in the Netherlands. Arie was the earliest known correspondent of the meeting room, serving +1878, and in fellowship until his death in 1919.
• Mr. & Mrs. Teunis Rykhoek - possible ancestors of P. Rykhoek who served as a correspondent +1927-1944+.
• Gerhardus "Gerrit" Hagens (1811-1923) and his wife Anna Sophia Susanna Erts Hagens (1814-1895), and their three eldest children Willem (1839-1914), Zwaantje, and Mina. Willem's daughter, Byka "Rebecca" Vander Meulen married Paul Auguste Renaud (b. 1856 France, emig. 1862, d. 1942 Pella, IA), who served as a correspondent +1901-1933+.

Pieter Floris

This ship left Amsterdam, Neth., in early April, 1847.

• Jacob van Vliet & his wife Maria (b. 1827 Neth.), and Gerritje, Matje, Klaas (1857-1948), Geertje, Neeltje, Cornelius, Hendrik, Mrs. H., H.M., and Grietje. Klaas was forementioned Nicholas Charles Van Vliet, see Burger family.

• Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit van der Wilt, and children: Dirk, Neeltje, Jan Sr., Willem, Jacobus, Jan Jr. (1831-1906), Hendrik, Antonie, and Geertrui. Jan Jr., aka John Vander Wilt, was the father of Margaret "Maggie" Vander Wilt, who married forementioned Nicholas Charles "Klaas" Van Vliet.

1849 Holland Settlement

This was the second emigration of Dutch settlers in the summer and fall of 1849, who were noted to have brought "considerable gold" which greatly helped the struggling colony.

• Mr. & Mrs. A.G. van der Meulen, and children Geurt and Henry. Also Bonne and his wife, and children Egbert, Aartje, Jacob, Tenske, Gaardske, and Arie. Paul Auguste Renaud (1856-1942), who served as correspondent +1901-1933+, his wife Byka "Rebecca" Hagens' first husband was a Vander Meulen. A.G. (b. 1821) opened a jewelry (watch & clock) store on W. Washington St. on the corner that in later years became the residence of the family of L. Stegeman. By the early 1920's, with the help of A.G.'s sons, the jewelry store had morphed into a mercantile firm that had become one of the largest and most successful businesses in central Iowa, under the name of "Van der Meulen & Co.". 1922 firm members: J.H. DeVries, H.J. Boland, John F. Dykstra, and H.P. Van der Meulen, the latter being a grandson of A.G.

• Mr. & Mrs. Willem van Vark, Jr., and child Matje. Matje may not have survived the voyage as it is noted in a trip diary of fellow traveler John Hospers that on June 5th, a small child with the Willem van Vark family died. The correspondent +1944-1951+ was D.V. (and/or D.J.) Van Vark.

1854 Holland

• Gerrit & Egberdina Hoogenakker, and their four eldest children, Johanna, Jacoba, Hein and Arie, emigrated from Holland in 1854. Arie was the earliest known assembly correspondent +1878.

• Isaac Roorda. In 1922, E.A. Roorda was a deacon at the Second Reformed Church of Pella.

• Mr. & Mrs. Willem van Vark, presumably Sr. (as Willem Jr. emigrated in 1849), and their children: Jacob, Johannes, Lena, Berdina, Mina, and Martha.

1855 Holland

• Arie den Burger, and Maria, Willem, and Godert.
• Mr. & Mrs. Hendrik Breuklander, and their children Albert, Heintje, and Maria. Heintje "Henrietta" Breuklander (1847-1918) married Arie Hoogenakker.
• Mr. & Mrs. Jan de Graaf
• Wouter, Bessel and Grietje Kraai.
• Mr. & Mrs. Bastiaan van der Meulen and their seven eldest children: Christina, Maaike, Maria, Jan, Adrianus, Leentje, and Sophia. Bastiann was a teacher in Holland, and also taught in a private school in Pella for many years.
• Wiger & Anne Roorda

1856 Holland

• Mr. & Mrs. William Breuklander, and children: Huibertje, Albertje, and Willem Hz.
• Mr. & Mrs. H.J. Gerritsen, and children: Adrianus, Anna, Hendrika, Hendrik, and Gerrit.
• Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit van der Hart, and children: Evert, Wouter, Maria and Govert.
• Mr. & Mrs. Willem Scharf, and children: Arie, Helena, Engeltje, Wilhelmina, Maria and Adriana.

Other 1854-1855 & 1856-1857 Holland

• Dr. Benjamin Franklin Keables, Dr. Henry Keables, M., E.A., James, and Alonzo Keables. Dr. B.F. Keables started a drugstore in Pella in 1855.

1861 Holland

• Mr. & Mrs. Hermanus P. Tysseling, and children: Albertus Teunis, Evert, Teunis, Willem, Arie, Antonia, and Willempje.
  • Teunis Albert Tysseling (b. 1845). Farmed 3 1/2 miles east of Pella 1868-1901. Married Egje DeJong, daughter of Peter DeJong. First Reformed Church.

1863 Holland

• Tysseling: Antonie, Antonie Gerarda, Gerarda Alyda, Gerrit Teunis, and Alberta Cecilia.

1868 Holland

• Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit van der Wilt, and children: Gerrit Jr., Figie, Gerrit G., Hendrik, Neeltje, Sygie, and Cornelia.

1854 French Emigrants

• Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Renaud, and son Louis.
• Mr. & Mrs. Louis Renaud. Louis settled on a farm a few miles north of Pella. Enjoyed the respect and friendship of all his neighbors and associates. Farm inherited by son Henry.
• Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Renaud, and children: Frederick, Ama and Eingenus. In 1861, Frederick Sr. was killed instantly by being thrown from a wagon during a runaway.
• Mr. & Mrs. Charles Renaud, and children: Charles, Frederick, Louise, Louis, Edmand, Paul and Eingenus. Charles Sr. (1825-1908) was remembered in the 1922 Pella history as emigrated in 1860, and "a man of warm heart and generous impulses, a good neighbor who was always ready and willing to help in time of need, and his death was recognized as a great loss to the community."

Civil War Volunteers

• William E. Beard
• Dr. Benjamin Franklin Keables
• Henry Roorda - killed in action

Also See

Assembly

• Who's Who at Pella Meeting Room, IA (TW) 1850's-present

Pella

• 1922 Souvenir History of Pella, Iowa
• 1915 History of Marion County, Iowa, and Its People
• 1881 History of Marion County, Iowa
• City of Pella

Sources

• EB/TW AAB's 1878-2021
• Ancestry.com
• 1922 Souvenir History of Pella, Iowa